Tipsy Birds



This time of year brings a curious phenomena - gangs (flocks)of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) flying erratically and colliding with automobiles, windows, buildings, fences and the like.  Often with fatal results.  

 

The results of necropsy examination revealed that all birds had gorged themselves with over-ripe and fermented berries.  They were drunk.

 

Ethanol was detected and the cause of death in these birds was trauma that resulted from colliding with hard objects when flying under the influence.  

You can learn more about this here.




Photo Credit - National Zoo